WDW in August - too hot?

[Selket]

I'd really like to go in the Fall but my son starts 1st grade and I'd rather not take him out of school for a vacation. We can go in August but it seems like it would be so hot we'd all melt into puddles! My sons will be 5 (almost 6) and 17 mos old by August. I'm especially concerned about having the youngest one out in the heat during the day.

I'm just realizing I'll never get to go to WDW except in the summer (at least that is the most likely option). I'd usually prefer the cooler weather and lighter crowds.

Any help appreciated!

CarolG

 

[Memaw2Wm]

I took my DD (27), GS (7) and GD the last week of August last summer ... it was very warm most of the week, a couple of days were plain HOT!

But we got an early each morning, took a break after lunch to go swimming, drank lots of water and bought a couple of those mini-handheld fans ... the crowds were barely there during the week ... although MK on Saturday/Labor Day weekend was PACKED.

It worked out so well, that we are going back for the same week again this summer.

Cheryl

 

[packy]

We have gone the last week of August three times since 1998 with kids 4 and 7 at the start. It can be hot but go to the parks early, go back to your room early afternoon and cool off (eat lunch - go to the pool) then go back to the parks when it cools of a bit in the late afternoon. Epcot and AK can be hot in the afternoon but you can still do them. Drink plenty of fluids and take it easy taking breaks in the Air Conditioned attractions.

 

[epcotfan]

Going in the fall doesn't necessarily mean it will be much cooler and less crowded. The food and wine festival, along with MNSSHP, and other seasonal events can make for super crowded parks. I'd take the summer any day over going in the fall again. It was a mad house the last time I went in October. My mom visited in November and while it was cooler the parks were nuts. If you do go in August take lots of breaks, drink and rehydrate and don't push yourself too much. You'll be fine.

 

[Talking Hands]

Frankly I don't find it any worse than DC weather in the summer. I don't have a problem going in August.

 

[disneyluver91]

I'm going in August, too! I posted a thread a while ago (before we planned) and it was about the weather and crowds in august. Mostly i got replies that the crowds weren't that bad and that with hydration and a lot of breaks, it will be fine...now i think that August might be the best time to go! SEE YOU THERE

Where are you staying?

~*~ disneyluver91 ~*~

 

[Selket]

I think Washington DC in the summer is terrible! LOL! I try to stay indoors! Yet today I booked my room at the AKL for 7 nights towards the end of august - we'll get back just 2 days before my son starts 1st grade! It will be hot and probably rain a bit but at least I don't have to concern myself with him missing any class time. And we got a great deal with the FT package. Can't wait!!!
If the weather is too hot we'll hang out by the pool more and spend less time in the parks. I hope they will be open towards the evening. Unfortunately we aren't early risers on vacation so the mornings are probably out for hitting the parks. I'm looking to relax anyway so whatever gets seen gets seen!

CarolG

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Originally posted by Selket
Unfortunately we aren't early risers on vacation so the mornings are probably out for hitting the parks.

CarolG

You really, really need to get up early and hit the parks ... last year (last week of August) MK closed at 6-7 PM during the week and was open until 8-9PM Friday and Saturday nights.

AK closed at 5PM every day, TL and BB were open 10AM-6PM, MGM was open until 8:30PM and Epcot was opened until 7:30PM or 9PM ... one section opened early closed early, the other section opened late closed late.

We also had t'storms 6 out of the 7 nights we were there ... made for miserable evenings in the park.

I'm not a morning person, but we got up and hit the parks as they opened and it was the best way to go.

Cheryl

 

[hookedup]

We went last year in August (me dh & ds (2). It was very hot and we were not used to that sort of humid heat, but after a couple of days we felt a lot more used to it.
Drink lots of water!

We are going back again this year in August again!

 

[laceemouse]

I just wanted to give you a pat on the back for making school a priority over vacation! We did take our kids out of school once when they were younger to go to Disney the first week of December, we will no longer do that as our current school district frowns on it and our kids have a much heavier workload as they are getting older. You will be fine if you pace yourself and take those afternoon breaks. The AC is great in most of the attractions so you will really just be hot walking from place to place. We found EPCOT to be the hottest during our summer trips. There is just so much concrete there! Our baby starts kidergarten next fall, just 13 more years until all 4 of them are out of the house and DH and I can go by ourselves (until the grandkids come that is!) Have a great trip!!! Lacee

 

[Selket]

I will consider your advice to get up early and head out for the extra magic hour! My DH is not much of a disney fan so he doesn't mind staying back with the 1 yr old at the hotel if I can get my 5 yr old up and out in the morning to hit some rides. I certainly don't mind getting up early - I'm usually up anyway trying to be quiet in the room waiting for them to wake up! This is one reason I picked the AKL - a bit of a splurge for us (though standard view is only about $300 more than staying at a moderate) so that we'd have a nicer hotel to poke around in, enjoy the pool more, etc. I'd have probably picked a monrail resort but the $$$$ is too much. I'm very excited about AKL and I especially think our 5 (almost 6) yr old will love it.

Seems like if it raining in the afternoon/evening you can't go back to the parks easily? We are going to be there the next to the last week of August and at least last year they had longer hours than the very last week so I'm hoping that will hold true. I'm more interested in hanging out with the kids and having fun than hitting every ride or attraction. However I'm willing to go as commando as my older kid wants! I figure I'll let him dictate the pace when we can. I hope to get some park time with just the two of us. I usually take "watching baby duty" while DH has fun with the older one so this is my chance to give him the baby duty as he'd rather not ride as much as I like to.

I'd love to take DS out of school and go in the cooler months but I figure it is just plain easier to go when he is not in school. And eventually he's going to get older and harder to take out and that's when the younger one will start. We might as well try finding times to go to WDW when school isn't an issue - I can't say I'll hate it until I try it! Unfortunately our school system doesn't have long breaks during the year except christmas and one week in april for spring break - probably when everyone has spring break! If we end up hating August cause of the heat that might be my next option. I think taking kids out of school is a very personal decision on case by case basis. My preference is not to do it however. I wish they'd make the school year a week longer and give everyone a "floater week"! LOL! I know we went to Florida every summer for vacation when I was growing up and I never melted!

Thanks to everyone!

CarolG

 

[disneysteve]

Personally, I wouldn't do Disney in August unless absolutely necessary. Take a look at the school calendar. Does your state/district have any teacher in-service days when you could plan a trip? In NJ, schools close for 3 days in November for a teacher conference. Many people take vacation that week since the kids only miss 2 days rather than 5. That's what we did this past Nov. when our daughter was in 1st grade. We plan to do the same week this coming Nov. also.

Steve

 

[Selket]

Starting next school year our school system is trying to eliminate as many teacher in service days as possible so the best I can find is 2 days together at the end of January (other than thanksgiving, spring break, and christmas). The other days off are single days during the week and not near a holiday. I think we'll try August and if it is just terrible then we'll consider those other times for the next trip. I guess I have to try it in the summer to see if it is unbearable! While growing up I visited WDW only in the summer and I never remember it being that bad. Of course I was a lot younger and not a parent!

Believe me, I'd be there 2nd week of November otherwise!

 

[yankeerose]

August is hot as h***, but we go almost every year at this time. With our school and work schedules, its the only time we can all go together. As other posters have said, go early, return to hotel for a swim and lunch and then return in the late afternoon. Keep hydrated and if possible take a few wash clothes to soak in water and then put around the kids and your necks. It really helps. There are attractions inside, so you will get quite a few breaks from the heat. Go and have fun in that wonderful Florida sun...